Average Rating: 4.2/10
Reviews Counted: 142
Fresh: 29 | Rotten: 113
Taken 2 is largely bereft of the kinetic thrills -- and surprises -- that made the original a hit.
Average Rating: 4.7/10
Critic Reviews: 29
Fresh: 8 | Rotten: 21
Taken 2 is largely bereft of the kinetic thrills -- and surprises -- that made the original a hit.
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Average Rating: 3.6/5
User Ratings: 45,477
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Taken: Former government agent Bryan Mills has retired and attempts to reassemble his old life, after years of overseas employment have left him estranged from his teenage daughter. But when she is kidnapped while in Europe, Bryan must revert to his old skill set to rescue her before she disappears forever. -- (C) Official Site
Oct 5, 2012 Wide
$49.5M
20th Century Fox
All Critics (142) | Top Critics (29) | Fresh (29) | Rotten (113)
A meta-American movie, a Godardian spoof of the whole genre, an attempt to see how stupid and insulting a motion picture can be and still be a big hit.
Taken 2 is more of the same, except a little bigger, a little dumber, and a little less invigorating.
So lazily put together that it relies on flashbacks from its predecessor for the majority of its character development.
Neeson, despite having turned 60 in June, looks spritely enough in the role, and more than capable of another go-round should Taken 2 match its predecessor's success.
As much as this picture is action driven, its greatest delights are grounded in personality, in the fun of having a protagonist who combines homespun values with velociraptor functionality.
Neeson is once again the stalwart center of this giddy, entirely improbable and improbably enjoyable escapade.
Neeson Caters to his Audience in Taken 2.
Megaton ... could use some more lessons in directing as he bombs in his strained efforts to recreate Pierre Morel's original.
If you're hoping for even a hint here of the original's appeal, allow me to quote the immortal words of Marko from Tropoja: 'Good luck.'
Liam Neeson's muscular dad is still in good shape but the sequel's flabby.
Compared to the balletic savagery of the first Taken, what we see here is far less intense, or creative.
I would have liked more insight into the characters but the heavy doses of action do entertain.
And why is it always the Albanians that cause trouble? In this film, Brian seems to have pissed off every Albanian on the planet except for Jim Belushi!
Taken 2 shows there's just enough juice in this formula to fuel a solid sequel. Any more Mills family kidnappings, though, and things will quickly descend into farce.
A passable yet underwhelming sequel...
Another perfect example that some sequels are a very bad idea.
There wasn't really anywhere for the story to go after 2008's surprise hit Taken, and this movie quickly proves that. Not only does it have that same appalling moral vacuum at the centre, but the plot becomes increasingly absurd as it progresses.
Jaws: The Revenge, with Albanians.
Fans of the previous film are likely to be left with a distinctly sour taste.
When Liam wants to kill the bad guys he just wraps his schvantz around their necks and strangles them to death.
Generic and mind-numbing, it leaves the door open for another, perhaps inevitable installment.
Shortcomings aside, this rattles along entertainingly and, at barely 90 minutes, doesn't outstay its welcome.
There is virtually no plot, just a succession of screeching chases and absurdly violent fights, some risible sleuthing and a great deal of talking on mobiles.
This latest installment in the Liam Neeson Punching Things franchise...it is talkier, feels longer, is shakier and just feels less satisfying.
Taken 2 (no, Taken Again, or The Retakening?) follows the all-too familiar path for action movies when sequel digits get added to titles. They attempt to redo the original premise, but bigger and better, but rarely does it succeed unless there's a fresh take. Taken 2 is reheated leftovers. The first film was a
October 10, 2012Super Reviewer
I wouldn't call Taken 2 under rated, but rather very under appreciated. Firstly it's nowhere near as good as Taken, but let's be honest we all knew deep down that it was never going to be. If you liked Taken, as I did, and wanted more of the same, this is for you. Although a sequel to Taken was imminent this could
October 1, 2012Super Reviewer
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